Will my mistakes from the past ruin my chances of being a pilot?

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aqaba_is_over_there@reddit

If it's just the unemployment office asking you may be able to pay it back and that will be it and nobody else would know.

If the Justice system is involved at all, shut your mouth, delete this post, and call a lawyer. Can't find a a lawyer? Call the local or state bar association.

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davihar@reddit

It will not impact you being a pilot. As long as you don’t have a criminal record, it will not impact you getting hired as a professional pilot.

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First of all it’s fraud so if your going to own up to it than completely own up to it. Integrity is a core trait of being a pilot along with being trustworthy. You now need to prove you are and that starts by not making excuses

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2ndCareerPilot@reddit

Work out a payment plan with them if you can’t afford to pay it all back at once. Ya you got caught. Computers aren’t so dumb as to miss an unemployment recipient getting wages reported from another employer.

Avoid any kind of criminal charges and you won’t have to disclose anything as long as you weren’t arrested. At least you don’t have to look over your shoulder anymore as long as there isn’t anything else nefarious in your past.

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Anthem00@reddit

if you realized it was wrong - the proper course of action would have been to try and rectify it BEFORE they came calling. . . Now that its after they know, your offer to "pay back" is only a sorry excuse to try and get out of the potential fall out. . Your best hope is that they take pity and accept the pay back.

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_BaldChewbacca_@reddit

Right? It's frustrating reading 5 similar posts every week on this subreddit with the copy and pasted "I know this was a mistake, and take full responsibility for it.". Like no, you really didn't take responsibility, you're upset you got caught, there's a difference.

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throwaway5757_@reddit

Pay back everything you owe. Assuming there are no charges brought against you, how would an airline know? If they do ever ask, answer truthfully and completely

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bhalter80@reddit

Pay them every penny they say you owe, and move on. Anything else is likely to be a fraud charge which will complicate your life for the next decade

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hi all, I’m in a bit of a tough situation and could really use some advice. Back in 2022, when I was 21 and recently unemployed, I applied for unemployment benefits through EDD. At the time, I wasn’t making nearly as much as I had been in my previous job, so I kept certifying that I was unemployed, even though I had started working again. I know this was a mistake, and I take full responsibility for it.

Recently, EDD contacted me and asked why I didn’t report my earnings from back then. I’m more than willing to pay back whatever I owe, but my biggest concern is how this will affect my future. Becoming a pilot has always been my dream. Now, at 24 I am currently working toward getting my Private Pilot License. I’m worried that this mistake might show up on my record and ruin my chances of pursuing an aviation career.

I realize what I did was wrong, and I just want to know if this will permanently affect my future as a pilot. Is there anything I can do to make it right? Any advice or guidance from those with experience or similar situations would be greatly appreciated. I don’t want a past mistake to derail my passion for flying.

Thanks in advance for any help!

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